(Untitled)

[blindness]

i'm relieved that no one here at the institute (i am an american graduate student in germany), except one, has said anything about the election. i assume it's out of respect, like a funeral. i had a long talk with my austrian boyfriend this morning about my frustration of living here, often the subject of disrespectful comments pertaining to my

Comments

[frumiousb]

Someone actually called me today to give me condolences. Like someone had died. I know exactly what she means.

[blindness]

yes, it's sad. maybe i will wear black for the rest of the year. i hope that i hear good news soon, i really need it. i think we all do.

[emmabovary]

I've gotten several emails from international friends who offer condolences. Akin to what I experienced here post 9/11.

[arasay]

I for one am thankful to not be in the states right now. I can't imagine what sore winners they must be.

This election was such a disaster in so many ways, for so many people, and I'm just not sure how to go about setting things right.

So tonight, I'm going to the pub, and letting other people buy my drinks.

[blindness]

i'm glad i'm not in the 'red' states, but i come from mass. so all of my friends and family are sharing my grief. drinking sounds like a great idea. have fun.

[rudy_ska]

It is a very sad day here in the states..sick and sad day. I too am a lucky one living in a blue state (wisconsin) i'm happy at least with that fact..

[divafu]

yes, but to be fair, european citizens wouldn't re-elect bush. in spain, the spanish recently elected a left-wing politican to oust the conservative in power and i'm sure that the italians are just itching to oust their right-winger.

sadly, in the end, most americans are right-wing. just take a look at the popular vote. and there is an "average" american; he/she is someone that has never left the country, relies on fox news for information, and has no regard for the bigger picture when it comes to politics (that is, the global community at large). fortunately, most of the americans who are abroad don't fit into that category but i assure you they exist.

-jeanne

[tla]

Why do you think that the Italians are itching to oust Berlusconi? I'm not convinced.

[divafu]

i havent done an official poll or anything, but italians with whom ive spoken are completely embarassed by and dissatisfied with him.

[tla]

Well, just about all the Americans I've spoken to hate Bush. And yet.

[rebelzero]

anyone around you hiring?

[blindness]

no, unfortunately not. getting a job here is a challenge, especially if you have a graduate degree. they really NEED the social net here because good jobs aren't so easy to find. my institute used to be very good, but now it's going down the toilet because there is no money and there is a brain drain to the states.

[rjshook]

One key difference between Europe and the USA is that there are so many different governments to be elected. One of the issues I have with Shrubbie is that he governed like he had won a landslide majority, not a 50/50 election. Europe does not have a single leader that can exert tonnes of influence, there is a great deal more consensus.

[blindness]

totally agree. i like the idea of breaking up the states into smaller countries. it really is like several countries the way the ideologies are so different among different regions. i hate being associated with the shrubbies.

[miromi]

well said!

[bezigebij]

Setting up regional governments is an interesting concept.